HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-09-27 04-294 ORDERItem No. 04-394
Dace: September 27 2004
Item/gobject: ORDER, Authorizing the Establishment of a Task Force to Assist the City
Council in Establishing Goals and Strategies for the Development and Protection of the
Penjajawoc/Mall Area
Responsible Department: City Council
Over the past twenty-five years, Me Stillwater/Hogan Road area has grown rapidly with continued strong
development interest today. More recently, there has been an increased awareness of Me environmental
significance of the Penjajawoc Marsh and Stream. As a result, the overall interest in the future direction
of this area has grown, and a number of groups have become actively involved. Over the paid several
months, conversations have begun between Council, staff, and other interested parties regarding Me
future of this area and how we might best proceed m establish goals and strategies for Me development
a and protection of the Penjajawoc/Mall area.
At its last meeting, the Transporlabon and Infrastructure Committee reviewed a proposal that sets out a
process aimed at establishing pricies and strategies for the short and long term that allow for smart
development of Me Penjajawoc Marsh areas and that will guide both development and natural
enhancement in Me area for consideration in the Comprehensive Plan update and as a quids to near term
development. At the meeting, support for such an approach was shown by a variety of the Interested
antles.
The attached ober will authorize Implementation of Me process oudlned In Me Committees proposal (a
copy of which Is attached) and Me appointment of a task force as recommended by It.
Department Head
Manager's Comments:
City Manager
Associated Information: pm f~ I
Approval:
Finance Director
Legal Approval:
Ciry, Sold
X passage
_ First Reading page X of 2
Refsmal
Assigned is comcilor Casaeell septet er 27, 2004
CITY OF BANGOR
(fRLE.) Order, Supporting Establishment of a Task Force to Assist the City Council
in Establishing Goals and Strategies for the Development and
Protection of the Penjajawoc/Mall Area
WHEREAS, Over the past twenty-five years the Stillwater Avenue/Hogan Road area
has been the most rapidly growing sector of the City with continued strong
development Interest; and
WHEREAS, much of this am.'. is located within the Citys designated growth area
identified in the Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Man also recognizes that some portions of this
area should be maintained as open space; and
WHEREAS, ongoing development interest and increased awareness of the
environmental significance of the Penjajawoc Marsh and Stream have generated
significant community interest in the last few years; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that continued development, expansion of
our economic base, protection of environmentally sensitive areas, and
preservation of open space are all important factors for future enhancement of the
community; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the City Council
has developed the attached proposal to develop a task force bringing interested
parties together to assist the City Council in establishing goals and strategies for
the development and protection of the Penjajawoc/Mall area;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED by the City Council of the City of Bangor that
the process oubined in the attached proposal be undertaken as soon as possible;
and
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Chair of the City Council appoint a task force
as recommended in the proposal to participate in this effort.
I
IN CIR COUNCIL
SePtenber 27. 2006 04-296
Notion Made and Seconded N
for Passage
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04-294
PROPOSAL
Appointment of a Task Force to Assist the City of Bangor to establish
Goals and Strategies for the
Development and Protection of the Penjajawoc/Mall Area
August 20, 2004
The City Council of Bangor wishes to establish an ad hoc citizens task force to
assist the city in fostering a cooperative effort by the city and interested parties
in the planning for, development and protection of the Penjajawcc/Mall (P/M)
area.
The Goal
To establish policies and strategies for the shat and long teen that allow for
smart development of the Penjajawoc Marsh area. These policies and strategies
will be used to guide development and natural enhancement of the area for
consideration of the Bangor Comprehensive Plan as well as guide near term
discussion of development projects in the area.
Issues, for example, that may be considered are;
Integration of the marsh area into a greater system of City trails offering
greater connectrvity;
Protection and enhancement of the quality of the stream and marsh;
Development of the areas adjacent to the stream and marsh;
Design of access to the marsh for tourism and recreation and to the areas
around the marsh for adequate traffic Flow for the commercial use;
Timing issues for projects presently underway;
Remuneration for landowners;
Promotion of economic growth;
Any other major issues mat may arise.
The Task Force
The task force will be appointed by the Chair of the Council and will be
comprised of 3 representatives from each of the following sectors of interests:
Environmental interests
Landowner/abutters
Local land trusts
Commercial developers in the mall area
City staff
The task force will be supported by city staff.
A volunteer disinterested facilitator will be sought by the city to manage the
process and serve as chair.
Facilitation is a way of helping groups work together in meetings. Facilitation is
the use of an impartial third party to promote effective information exchange,
negotiation, and group decision making. A facilitator is impartial on the issues
being discussed; rarely contribute substantive Ideas; and has no decision-
making authority. The focus is on process in a group setting.
The task force will be provided all available Information to support short term
development and protection Issues. Information needs for longer term policy
development may be identified and sought within the constraints of time and
resource availability.
Process
There are various approaches to Issue assessment and dialogue. The land use
challenges In the Mall and PenJaJawoc Marsh area may or may not lend
themselves to a facilitated dialogue. The first step in the process is to determine
whether or not to proceed with a facilitation process.
The following outline describes how to conduct an assessment to determine if a
facilitated dialogue is possible:
1. Sponsor (City of Bangor) with assistance from the facilitator and/or TIC
member/s will;
Provide potential participants with a questionnaire to ascertain the
issues that need to be resolved both short and long tens.
Determine the willingness of the participant groups to participate with the
knowledge that compromise and consensus is the goal for being at the
table.
Conduct a pre -meeting Interview with the various groups to address
concerns and identify obstacles to success.
Determine timeline needs for the short term and long term decision
making process.
2. The task force upon being organized will hold a public hearing to gather
information and understanding of the issues related to the P/M area.
3. The task force will proceed to distill the polities and strategies for going
forward to include a timeline for the meetings required and an estimate for
conclusion of the process understanding that short term recommendations
Will be needed while long term Issues are deliberated.
4. The task force will submit recommendations to the council for consideration.
The council will hold a public hearing on the report or reports and take
appropriate action. The recommendations may be related to the short and
long term needs.
The scope of the issue(s), time Involvement and other expenses, facilitator
process and city participation will determine the cost. Costs will be held to a
minimum and absorbed where possible in the budget of the city.
Conclusions
For an effective land use facilitation to take place:
➢ People must believe that they will achieve more of their interests through
consensus building than their next best alternative.
➢ Participants need to be assured that the results of their efforts will be taken
seriously.
n Political leadership is critical to the process.
n local government officials must play a central role.
➢ Facilitators play an essential role and must remain neutral regarding the
issues.
A well-done consensus building process produces increased understanding and
improved relationships. Consensus among stakeholders will go far in promoting
a balance between economic development and conservation in the Mall and
Penjajawoc Marsh area.
This process is not meant to reduce or usurp the responsibility of the City
Council, but rather to help the Council to make needed policy decisions that
improve the outcomes and expectations related to the P/M and in tum Improve
the future of the City for all its citizens.